There is so much to look forward to in 2021 around the world in horse racing. Over in the UK, it is just weeks until two of the biggest National Hunt meetings in the sport, the Cheltenham Festival, and the Grand National. Over in the States, the best three-year-olds will begin their Triple Crown campaigns.
Here is a look at where history can be made this year with some storylines you do not want to miss.
Al Boum Photo’s Gold Cup Hat-Trick
As you can see from the Cheltenham race results, Al Boum Photo has won the last two renewals of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, so goes into this year’s contest looking for a hat-trick.
Watch video HERE.
Not many horses in the history of the Cheltenham feature have won it on three occasions. Since 1960, only Arkle and Best Mate have managed that feat, so Al Boum Photo would be joining great company. Willie Mullins’ runner made a winning return to action in Savills New Year Day Chase at Tramore earlier this year, so a triple win could be looking promising. Al Boum Photo also tops the betting to prevail in the Blue Riband event in the sport again on March 19.
Tiger Roll Bidding For Grand National History
A month after the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National takes center stage at Aintree. There is one horse people will be talking about ahead of this year’s race and that is Tiger Roll. The 2018 and 2019 winner will be vying to become only the second horse to win the marathon contest three times.
The great Red Rum won his third Grand National in 1977, in what was his fifth appearance in the race. This will be Tiger Roll’s third run in the world’s most famous steeplechase, so his achievement would arguably be even greater.
Like Red Rum in the 70s, Tiger Roll has a huge fan following. He is currently the +1400 favorite with the bookmakers after being handed a weight allocation of 11st 9lb by the handicapper. Only three horses in the race have been given more weight than the reigning champion, so he faces a tough task ahead.
Bob Baffert Could Win Seventh Kentucky Derby
Watch video HERE.
Legendary US trainer Bob Baffert matched Ben Jones’ record of six Kentucky Derby wins in 2020. Authentic prevailed at Churchill Downs in the race which is considered to be the “two most exciting two minutes in sports.”
Baffert has had some excellent three-year-olds in his yard over the last three decades. It will be interesting to see who the next star could be from his barn. The early evidence suggests that it could be Life Is Good who is the ante-post favorite for the 2021 Kentucky Derby.
Life Is Good made a winning start to his career at Santa Anita back in January. He looked a smart prospect when claiming the Grade Three Sham Stakes in a 1m contest. Big things are expected from the colt who may have a good chance of becoming the latest Triple Crown winner in the US.
Hopefully, 2021 lives up to be a great year in horse racing and at the end of it, there will be a number of champions who go down in the history books in the sport.
2021 Could Be A Record-Breaking Year In Horse Racing
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